1/3 complete! - September 23, 2013

Helloooo!

Ya, I walked on a lot of dead yellow leaves in the pouring rain this week! The mountains are capped with snow as of last night. Seasons are awesome hahah. I'm terrified and there is a possibility that I'll need boots but we'll worry about later. According to other missionaries I shouldn't need boots. I am totally freaking out though because President called me last thursday, telling me that I'm training again next transfer. So I'm already losing my "son" after only six weeks which is a bummer because we were getting along and working hard. This mission is just so young and we have another big group coming in. I'll be staying here in Narvik... and to up the intensity and toughness I've been called as District Leader as well. What in the world, my mission continually turns out to be more challenging and stressful than I could ever have imagined. I'm still looking at it like an adventure though and loving the missionary life and challenges that get thrown my way. My mission is definitely personal to me and my growth. Heavenly father must really see something in me and there was a reason I came into this mission when I did. I still feel so young but I guess I'm old in comparison. (Today is my 1/3 mark by the way). Its scary to think about all the added pressures coming my way along with the cold dark winter, but I wont be here forever so I might as well enjoy it and leave with no regrets.

We've been meeting some way cool people and sharing the message of the restoration but we're having trouble getting people to want to continually meet with us and progress towards baptism and conversion. We'll keep trying though. Its so sad to see all these people who are absolutely not interested but I'll keep searching for the one who is. It only takes one, right? We met a cool family from syria who didn't know any norwegian and about 5 english words (4 if you don't count "obama"). They really wanted to talk to us and they were super friendly. I learned some arabic as they fed us chocolate. We're going back with a cake and a Book of Mormon in arabic this week.

I had a cool experience at church yesterday. There is an 8 boy in this ward and he was baptised by his dad on saturday. I was picked to give him the Holy Ghost yesterday. That was awesome.. first time for everything. I also sang a duet.. what the freak. The North mannn... church lasted about an hour and 45 minutes. I am absolutely just living up this whole missionary experience up here. Its an experience that wont last forever... I hope. 

I passed my license test on Wednesday but I was ever more stoked to drive the Mazda 6 again. Very well could have been the last time I drive until I come home with the amount of cars vs missionaries here. Everything that I owned in my wallet was EXACTLY enough money to pay for it.. another mission story haha. Luckily there was a sale on the top-ramen so I could survive these past couple of days haha. Thanks for putting that money on we just grabbed some groceries with it. Food up here is way more expensive up here than the already expensive food down in civilization, but on the plus side the tap water is the same price and way better. You couldn't find better cold water fresh out the tap anywhere in the world. 

My camera is just a cheap walmart one but its all i need and I'm happy with it. Gunther has a GoPro and we have some fun with that. Cameras and filming is cool but way expensive and hard to stick to unless you really like taking pictures of yourselves or you have an interesting life where you travel a lot. I remember patrik having a lot of friends who were into photo and filming. Poor poor wyatt. He was always a part of our family ever since we picked him up from that swap meet thing in monterey. I remember getting a pink tool box that day and going to a primary activity afterwards. He turned out to be a great dog and I will miss him. I'm glad that dad is finally taking time out doing something fun with Brian. Vacation is good and is something they cherish over here in Norway. Good job with the diet mom. Keep up the good work and self motivation. Thanks for writing me every week! something I get to look forward to! Have an awesome week, I'll be working hard and having fun.

Love you, 

Eldste Skinner